Falling object protection system

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a falling object protection system for use with a machine for forming underground bores and/or for installing product within underground bores. The falling object protection system includes a base forming a platform on which an operator can stand. The base includes an inner portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to the machine and an outer portion adapted to be positioned away from the machine. The falling object protection system also includes an outer barrier that extends upwardly from the outer portion of the base, and a top barrier that extends inwardly from the outer barrier and extends over the platform of the base. The falling object protection system further includes an upper frame that extends upwardly from an inner end portion of the top barrier. The upper frame includes a falling object deflection member spaced above the inner end portion of the top barrier.

This application is being filed on 16 Jun. 2010, as a PCT International Patent application in the name of Vermeer Manufacturing Company, a U.S. national corporation, applicant for the designation of all countries except the US, and Janice Marquardt, Matthew Arlen Mills, Matthew Stephen Vos, Ivan Ray Brand, and Jeffrey James Utter, citizens of the U.S., applicants for the designation of the US only, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/246,421, filed Sep. 28, 2009, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to equipment used to form underground bores and install product such as pipe in underground bores.

BACKGROUND

Modern installation techniques provide for underground installation of services required for community infrastructure. Sewage, water, electricity, gas and telecommunications services are increasingly being placed underground for improved safety and to create more visually pleasing surroundings that are not cluttered with visible services. One method for installing underground services involves installing underground product (e.g., pipes) from a location such as a pit (e.g., a shaft). For example, a machine can be used to drill or otherwise form an underground bore that extends from a first pit to a second pit. The machine can also be used to install product within the bore. During operation of the machine, the machine is positioned within one of the pits and objects (e.g., drill stems, product pipes, etc.) are lowered down to the machine and/or lifted up from the machine through the use of a crane or other structure. Machine operators are typically positioned within the pit adjacent the machine as the objects are lowered into the pit and lifted out of the pit.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a falling object protection system that provides protection from falling objects such as pipes or drill stems. A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a falling object protection system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the falling object protection system is shown positioned adjacent to a drilling machine within a pit;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the falling object protection system of FIG. 1 showing a side of the falling object protection system that faces toward the drilling machine in use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the falling object protection system of FIG. 1 showing a side of the falling object protection system that faces away from the drilling machine in use;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the falling object protection system of FIG. 1 with a drilling machine operator standing on a deck of the falling object protection system;

FIG. 5 shows an alternative falling object protection system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, an upper frame of the system is shown pivoted to an upright position; and

FIG. 6 shows the falling object protection system of FIG. 5 with the upper frame pivoted downwardly from the upright position to a lower, stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a falling object protection system 20 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The falling object protection system 20 is shown positioned within a pit 22 in the ground at a location adjacent to a drilling machine 24. The drilling machine 24 includes a drive unit 26 that reciprocates back and forth along an axis 28 to drill stem sections 30 from the pit 22 into the ground. By pushing the drill stem sections 30 into the ground, the drilling machine 24 creates an underground bore in which product (pipe) can be installed. The drive unit 26 can power a rotational cutting head that cuts the underground bore as the string of drill stem sections 30 is thrust distally by the drive unit 26. The drilling machine 24 can also be used to push product pipe into the underground bore and/or pull product pipe into the underground bore. The drilling machine can include a reamer (e.g., a back reamer) that enlarges the underground bore as the product pipe is installed in the underground bore.

The falling object protection system 20 is configured for protecting machine operators or other individuals within the pit 22 from being injured by falling objects such as product pipe or drill stem sections that may be regularly lowered into or lifted out of the pit 22. While a particular type of drilling machine is depicted in FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that the falling object protection system 20 is adapted for use with any type of machine used to form underground bores and/or to install product within underground bores. Example machines include rotational drilling machines, percussive drilling machines, tunneling machines, micro-tunneling machines, auger style boring machines, pipe jacking machines, reamers, back reamers as well as other machines.

The falling object protection system 20 includes an inner side 100 (see FIG. 2) positioned opposite from an outer side 102 and a first end 104 positioned opposite from a second end 106. In use of the system 20, the inner side 100 of the falling object protection system 20 is closest to the drilling machine 24 while the outer side 102 of the falling object protection system 20 is farthest from the drilling machine 24. Depending upon the type of machine being used and/or operator preference, the falling object protection system 20 can be mounted on either side of the drilling machine 24. Regardless of which side of the machine 24 on which the falling object protection system 20 is mounted, the inner side 100 is positioned adjacent to the machine 24. The falling object protection system 20 has length L that extends from the first end 104 to the second end 106 and a width W that extends from the inner side 100 to the outer side 102.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the falling object protection system 20 includes a base 50 forming a deck or platform on which an operator can stand. The base 50 is depicted as having a generally trapezoidal shape with an inner edge 51 of the base 50 being longer than an outer edge 53 of the base 50. However, other shapes (e.g., rectangular, square, etc.) can also be used. The inner and outer edges 51, 53 are generally parallel to one another. Side edges 55, 57 extend from the inner edge 51 to the outer edge 53. The side edges 55, 57 are aligned at oblique angles relative to the inner and outer edges 51, 53. For example, the side edges 55, 57 are shown angled so to converge towards one another as the side edges 55, 57 extend from the inner edge 51 to the outer edge 53 of the base 50. The falling object protection system 20 also includes a plurality of leveling feet 52 for leveling the base such that the deck can be oriented along a generally horizontal plane when the falling object protection system 20 is installed within the pit 22.

When the falling object protection system 20 is installed within the pit 22, the inner edge 51 of the base 50 preferably aligns generally parallel to the axis 28 of the drilling machine 24. An inner barrier 58 extends upwardly from the inner edge 51 of the base 50. In certain embodiments, the inner barrier 58 can have a height suitable for generally reaching an operator's waist region. The inner barrier 58 can function as a pinch point guard to prevent injury caused by the reciprocal movement of the drive unit 26 along the axis 28. In the depicted embodiment, the inner barrier 58 is sized such that an operator can reach over the inner barrier 58 to access the drilling machine 24.

In the depicted embodiment, the inner barrier 58 has a solid wall construction formed by a panel 59 supported at its perimeter by a generally rectangular frame work 61. The frame work can be formed by structural members such as bars, square tubing, round tubing or other elements. In alternative embodiments, other structures such as a grid or screen can be incorporated into the inner barrier 58.

In a preferred embodiment, the falling object protection system 20 is adapted to be mechanically attached (e.g., bolted, linked, clamped, pinned, fastened or otherwise coupled/connected) to the machine being used by the operator within the pit (e.g., the drilling machine 24). The mechanical attachment can have a detachable configuration that allows the falling object protection system 20 to be attached to the machine during use of the machine within a pit and detached from the machine to facilitate transporting the machine and the falling object protection system 20 from site to site. By mechanically attaching the falling object protection system 20 to the machine, the falling object protection system 20 can utilize the machine to provide stability to the falling object protection system 20. In this way, the falling object protection system does not need to rely on the side walls of the pit to provide stability and can be effectively used within pits of various sizes and shapes without needing to mount the falling object protection system at particular locations within the pits. In the depicted embodiment, the inner portion of the base 50 mechanically couples to the drilling machine 24.

The falling object protection system 20 also includes a protective cage 60 that forms a protective envelope or shield at least partially surrounding (i.e., covering, enveloping, etc.) an operator working area defined by the base 50. Generally, the cage 60 includes an outer barrier 110 that extends upwardly from the outer edge 53 of the base 50. The cage 60 also includes a top barrier 112 having a cantilevered configuration. The top barrier 112 includes an outer portion 112 a that connects to the top of the outer barrier 110 and an inner portion 112 b positioned above the inner edge 51 of the base 50. The outer portion 112 a is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the outer barrier 110. Specifically, the outer portion 112 a of the top barrier 112 angles upwardly relative to the outer barrier 110 as the outer portion 112 a extends in an inner direction. The inner portion 112 b of the top barrier 112 is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the outer portion 112 a. In the depicted embodiment, the inner portion 112 b is generally horizontal. The falling object protection system 20 also includes an upper frame 114 mounted above the inner portion 112 b of the top barrier 112. The falling object protection system 20 further includes lifting eyes 116 provided at the top barrier 112 for allowing the falling object protection system 20 to be lowered into the pit 22 and to be lifted out of the pit 22 with a crane or other suitable lifting equipment.

The cantilevered configuration of the top barrier 112 allows the inner side 100 of the falling object protection system 20 to have an open region 200 that is free of obstructions or structural members that could interfere with the operator's ability to access the machine 24. The open region 200 has a height that extends from the top of the inner barrier 58 to the bottom of the top barrier 112 and a length that extends along the length L of the falling object protection system 20 from the first end 104 to the second end 106.

The cage 60 includes first and second primary supports 116 a, 116 b spaced-apart from one another along the length L of the system 20. The primary supports 116 a, 116 b include vertical structural members 118 a, 118 b that extend upwardly from outer corners of the base 50. The primary supports 116 a, 116 b also include cantilevered structural members 120 a, 120 b that extend inwardly from upper ends of the vertical structural support members 118 a, 118 b. Angle irons or other brace structures can be used to reinforce the cantilevered structural members 120 a, 120 b relative to the vertical structural members 118 a, 118 b.

The primary supports 116 a, 116 b are interconnected by an outer cross member 126, an intermediate cross member 128 and an inner cross member 130. The cross members 126, 128 and 130 are parallel to one another and extend along the length L of the falling object protection system 20. The cage 20 also includes a plurality of structural members 132 (see FIG. 3) that are secured between the outer cross member 126 and the intermediate cross member 128. The structural members 132 are generally parallel to one another and form at least a part of the outer portion 112 a of the top barrier 112. The structural members 132 are spaced relative to one another by gaps having a distance less than 8 inches. The cage 60 further includes braces 134 mounted between the inner cross member 130 and the intermediate cross member 128. A spacing gap defined between the inner cross member 130 and the intermediate cross member 128 is also preferably less than 8 inches.

In one embodiment, the vertical structural support members 118 a, 118 b have a height of at least 7 feet. Also, a vertical gap less than 6 feet preferably exists between the top of the inner barrier 58 and the inner cross member 130. In certain embodiments, the top barrier 112 can over hang the inner barrier 58 such that at least a portion of the top barrier 112 extends over the drilling machine 24 beyond a vertical plane defined by the inner barrier 58.

The cage 60 further includes a plurality of structural members positioned within the boundary defined by the vertical structural members 118 a, 118 b and the outer cross member 126. For example, an angled structural support 138 a extends from the bottom end of the vertical structural member 118 a to adjacent a midpoint of the outer cross member 126. Similarly, an angled structural support 138 b extends from the bottom end of the vertical structural member 118 b to adjacent the midpoint of the outer cross member 126. The outer edge 53 of the base 50, the vertical structural members 118 a, 118 b, the outer cross member 126 and the angled structural supports 138 a, 138 b cooperate to define the outer barrier 110 of the cage 60. The cantilevered structural members 120 a, 120 b, the cross members 126, 128 and 130, the structural members 132 and the structural members 134 cooperate to define the top barrier 112 of the cage 60.

The upper frame 114 extends upwardly from the ends of the inner cross member 130. The upper frame 114 includes two vertical supports 150 a, 150 b that extend vertically upwardly from the ends of the inner cross member 130. Angle irons reinforce the vertical support members 150 relative to the top barrier 112. The upper frame 114 also includes a top cross member 156 (i.e., a falling object deflection member or bar) that interconnects the upper ends of the vertical support members 150. Angle irons reinforce the cross member 156 relative to the vertical support members 150. The top cross member 160 is parallel to the inner cross member 130 and is also parallel to the axis 28 of the drive unit 26. Intermediate braces 170 extend from the top cross member 160 to the cross member 130 at locations between the vertical support members 150. In certain embodiments, the vertical structural members 150 of the upper frame 114 have a length of at least 3 feet.

When objects (e.g., pipes, drill stems, etc.) are being loaded down into the pit or raised out of the pit with a device such as a crane, an operator within the pit can stand in the working area under the top barrier 112 to be protected from falling objects.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative falling object protection system 20′ having a hinge structure 200 for allowing the upper frame 114 to be pivoted about an axis 202 relative to the top barrier 112 between an upright position (see FIG. 5) and a lower stowed position (see FIG. 6). The upper frame is placed in the upright position during drilling operations, and can be moved to the stowed position to facilitate transporting the drilling machine and the falling object protection system 20′ between work sites. A locking arrangement 204 can be provided for locking the upper frame 114 in the upright position and in the stowed position. The locking arrangement can include a slideable locking pin slidably mounted to the top barrier 112 that slides into pin receivers carried by the upper frame 114 to lock the upper frame in place relative to the top barrier 112. The system 20′ also includes a shelf 210 mounted to the outer barrier 110.

In certain embodiments, the upper frame has a range of pivotal movement that is more than 150 degrees when moving from the upright position to the stowed position. In certain embodiments, the upper frame pivots about 180 degrees when moving from the upright position to the stowed position.

The various structural members or structural supports described herein can include different configurations such as solid members, solid bars, structural tubing (e.g., square tubing or round tubing), or any other structural members. 

1. A falling object protection system for use with a machine for forming underground bores and/or for installing product within underground bores: a base forming a platform on which an operator can stand, the base including an inner portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to the machine and an outer portion adapted to be positioned away from the machine; an outer barrier that extends upwardly from the outer portion of the base; a top barrier that extends inwardly from the outer barrier and extends over the platform of the base; and an upper frame that extends upwardly from an inner end portion of the top barrier, the upper frame including a falling object deflection member spaced above the inner end portion of the top barrier.
 2. The falling object protection system of claim 1, wherein the top barrier has a cantilevered configuration.
 3. The falling object protection system of claim 1, wherein the base includes leveling feet.
 4. The falling object protection system of claim 1, wherein the falling object protection system includes an inner side that faces toward the machine, the inner side including an open region located between base and the upper barrier, the open region the having a length and a height, the falling object deflection member having a length that along the length of the open region.
 5. The falling object protection system of claim 4, further comprising an inner barrier that extends upwardly from the inner portion of the base, wherein the open region is defined between a top of the inner barrier and a bottom portion of the top barrier.
 6. The falling object protection system of claim 1, wherein an inner end portion of the top barrier is adapted to overhang the machine.
 7. The falling object protection system of claim 2, wherein the falling object protection system is adapted to be mechanically attached to the machine at a location adjacent the inner portion of the base.
 8. The falling object protection system of claim 1, further comprising lifting eyes provided on the top barrier.
 9. The falling object protection system of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the base attaches to the machine to stabilize the inner portion of the base, and wherein adjustable feet are provided at the outer portion of the base for stabilizing the outer portion of the base.
 10. The falling object protection system of claim 1, wherein the upper frame is pivotally movable relative to the top barrier between an upright orientation and a lower, stowed orientation.
 11. The falling object protection system of claim 10, wherein the upper frame pivots more than 150 degrees when moving from the upright position to the stowed position.
 12. A system comprising: a machine for forming underground bores and/or for installing product within underground bores; a falling object protection system including an inner side that faces toward the machine and an outer side that faces away from the machine, the falling object protection system including: a base forming a platform on which a machine operator can stand, the base including an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion of the base being configured to be mechanically attached to the machine such that the machine assists in providing stability to the falling object protection system; an outer barrier that extends upwardly from the outer portion of the base; a top barrier that extends inwardly from the outer barrier and extends over the platform of the base, the top barrier having a cantilevered configuration such that an open region is defined at the inner side of the falling object protection system at a location between the inner portion of the base and the top barrier.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the top barrier overhangs at least a portion of the machine.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the open region has a length and a height, and wherein the falling object protection system further comprises an upper frame that extends upwardly from an inner end portion of the top barrier, the upper frame including a falling object deflection member spaced above the inner end portion of the top barrier, the falling object deflection member having a length that along the length of the open region. 